Holidayshttp://wesa.fm
enBlarney and Beers: Social Club March 13http://wesa.fm/post/blarney-and-beers-social-club-march-13
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">In case you’ve missed the sudden onslaught of green decorations around the ‘burgh, this Social Club is all about Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations!<br /><br />For those interested in an authentic Irish experience, Rachel and Josh tip you off on how to tell if you’re in an authentic Irish pub, and recommend the top Irish watering holes around town guaranteed to provide the best Saint Patrick's Day celebrations.</span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Not one for shamrocks and whiskey? On Friday night, the Carnegie Science Center is hosting their <a href="http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/programs/adult-programs-21-plus-night/">21+ Night, H2OH</a>, and the <a href="http://www.yelp.com/events/pittsburgh-yoga-wine-mixer-2">Thrill Mill will host a Yoga + Wine Mixer</a>.&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />Thu, 12 Mar 2015 16:53:55 +0000Madelyn Knapp44785 at http://wesa.fmBlarney and Beers: Social Club March 13Feliz Navidad! The Mall at Robinson Welcomes Multilingual Santahttp://wesa.fm/post/feliz-navidad-mall-robinson-welcomes-multilingual-santa
<p>Christopher Nicholas Claus — his legal name — has been coming to the Mall at Robinson every Christmas since it opened fourteen years ago.</p><p>He’s not so different from the thousands of other Santas who flock to malls across America this time of year: He’s got a naturally white beard, a jolly laugh and loves kids. There’s one thing that makes this Santa unique, however.</p>Mon, 22 Dec 2014 08:30:00 +0000Liz Reid40502 at http://wesa.fmFeliz Navidad! The Mall at Robinson Welcomes Multilingual SantaYour Favorite Holiday Tunes by Requesthttp://wesa.fm/post/your-favorite-holiday-tunes-request
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">For over thirty years </span>WESA<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> director of internships Kevin Gavin has hosted his All-Request Holiday Music Special. Kevin joins us for a preview of this year's special as well as a look back at Christmases past.</span></p><p>Gavin explains that he first got started airing holiday music in Pittsburgh 38 years ago, when WESA (then WDUQ) general manager Ken Duffy noticed a lack of Christmas music on the airwaves in Pittsburgh. Duffy asked Gavin to play whatever holiday music he could find, and Gavin dug up some holiday record albums and became an impromptu disc jockey.</p><p>Fri, 19 Dec 2014 19:31:38 +0000Essential Pittsburgh40635 at http://wesa.fmYour Favorite Holiday Tunes by RequestGingerbread Display Replicates Pittsburghhttp://wesa.fm/post/gingerbread-display-replicates-pittsburgh
<p></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.63636302948px; line-height: 1.5;">Gingerbread houses are part of what makes Christmas delicious and special, and this year the gingerbread game has been stepped up at the Grand Concourse with a tiny Pittsburgh village.</span></p><p>The display features the Duquesne Incline, the Smithfield Bridge, Heinz Field, the three rivers and many more miniature replicas.</p><p>“We wanted to do something different this year, and actually started planning it way back in January, after last year’s holidays, and [we] just started planning it out and about three months ago to really work on it and build it,” said Grand Concourse General Manager Milo Boering.</p><p>Executive Chef, Loren&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 15.4545450210571px; line-height: 22px;">Halperin</span>&nbsp;says they must have used about 50-60lbs. of gingerbread dough. Then after baking the dough in September the chefs had to let it completely dry out, which took about a month. Then in early November they began construction.</p><p>Fri, 19 Dec 2014 17:10:00 +0000Jess Lasky40618 at http://wesa.fmGingerbread Display Replicates PittsburghHoliday Grief Is Natural But Should Be Addressed, Expert Sayshttp://wesa.fm/post/holiday-grief-natural-should-be-addressed-expert-says
<p>We have all heard of the “holiday blues,” but until you or a loved one actually experiences them you might think it is more something of myth than of reality.</p><p>“Everyone at times can experience grief around the holidays,” said Anna Boettcher, Medical Director of Community Psychiatry at Pittsburgh Mercy Health System. “Just because of those warm thoughts and if those expectations are not met … then it can be a depressing time of year for some people.”</p>Thu, 18 Dec 2014 13:01:22 +0000Mark Nootbaar40144 at http://wesa.fmUntold Stories behind Holiday Songshttp://wesa.fm/post/untold-stories-behind-holiday-songs
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">From “Jingle Bells” to “White Christmas,” many of our most popular holiday songs have interesting stories behind them. Pop culture contributor <a href="https://twitter.com/WosisMe">Joe </a></span><a href="https://twitter.com/WosisMe">Wos</a><span style="line-height: 1.5;"><a href="https://twitter.com/WosisMe"> </a>tells us the stories behind some of our favorite holiday songs.</span></p><p>Wos singles out “Jingle Bells” as possibly the first Christmas pop song. Originally intended as a Thanksgiving song, “Jingle Bells” became a popular drinking song and ultimately became associated with Christmas.</p><p>Wed, 17 Dec 2014 19:09:07 +0000Essential Pittsburgh40497 at http://wesa.fmUntold Stories behind Holiday SongsPTI Students Learn While Spreading Holiday Cheerhttp://wesa.fm/post/pti-students-learn-while-spreading-holiday-cheer
<p>Students at Pittsburgh Technical Institute have once again volunteered to create an hour-long music and light show this holiday season.</p><p>It’s the fourth year in a row that the college’s School of Energy and Electronics Technology has produced the show.</p><p>Dave Becker, academic chair for the Smart Building Technology and Electronics Engineering Technology, said students are excited to see people enjoy the fruits of their labor.</p>Fri, 05 Dec 2014 20:31:29 +0000Liz Reid39695 at http://wesa.fmThanksgiving Programminghttp://wesa.fm/post/thanksgiving-programming
<p>Join us Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th&nbsp;for special programs.</p><p class="p1"><strong>Thursday 9am to 11am and 8pm to 10pm:&nbsp;</strong><strong><em><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Third Coast International Audio Festival Best of the Best 2014&nbsp;</span></em></strong><span style="line-height: 1.5;">It is a Thanksgiving tradition here at 90.5 </span>WESA<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> to start your day cooking listening to this year's most amazing stories from around the world. Best of the Best&nbsp;presents the winners of their&nbsp;</span>14th<span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp;annual </span>TC<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> / Richard H. </span>Driehaus<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> Foundation Competition. Innovative and insightful, the stories will engage, provoke, entertain, and transport listeners, proving that all you need to discover new worlds is . . . a little box and an antenna.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="p1"><strong style="line-height: 1.5;"><span class="s1" style="line-height: 1.5;">From 11am to 1pm, it’s <em>The Splendid Table’s </em></span></strong><span style="line-height: 1.5;"><em><strong>Turkey Confidential</strong>,</em> their annual live call-in show helping you get ready for the big meal. We'll be playing bingo in the control room. </span><a href="http://www.splendidtable.org/story/turkey-confidential-bingo-cards" style="line-height: 1.5;">Play along with us</a><span style="line-height: 1.5;">!</span></p><p class="p2"><strong><span style="line-height: 1.5;">At </span>1pm</strong><span style="line-height: 1.5;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong>sample our new Sunday evenings at </span>7pm<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> program, <em><strong>Snap Judgment</strong></em>.</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Tis the season to consider those things that we are most thankful for. We're taking a look back on some of the stories we've done that touch on this theme of gratitude, because we are so thankful.</span></p><p class="p2"><span class="s1" style="line-height: 1.5;"><strong>Friday at noon &amp; 8pm </strong>we bring you </span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 1.5;"><em><strong>Innovation Hub</strong></em> “Unwrapping the Future”. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Innovation Hub looks at how innovations are reshaping our holidays — altering approaches to travel, family gatherings, food, and more.</span></p><p class="p2">&nbsp;</p><p>Mon, 24 Nov 2014 20:26:30 +0000Tammy Terwelp39326 at http://wesa.fmThe Annual People's Gas Holiday Market Returns to Market Squarehttp://wesa.fm/post/annual-peoples-gas-holiday-market-returns-market-square
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Vendors from around the world have returned for the </span><a href="http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com/holidays" style="line-height: 1.5;">3rd&nbsp;People's Gas Holiday Market</a><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> in Market Square.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">What draws them to the Steel City? We'll pose that question to Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Vice President of Marketing and Communications Leigh White and holiday market vendor, Louise Larkin Manager of the&nbsp;Kathe&nbsp;Wohlfahrt Shop.</span></p><p>Mon, 24 Nov 2014 19:57:25 +0000Essential Pittsburgh39310 at http://wesa.fmThe Annual People's Gas Holiday Market Returns to Market SquarePolice to Ramp Up Seat Belt and DUI Enforcement for Holidayshttp://wesa.fm/post/police-ramp-seat-belt-and-dui-enforcement-holidays
<p>Saturday’s icy road conditions, which may have contributed to car accidents on I-79, Bigelow Boulevard, Route 28 and other area roadways, were an unnerving reminder that more auto crashes occur during the holidays than any other time of year.</p><p>During last year’s Thanksgiving travel period, from the weekend before Thanksgiving to the weekend after, a total of 4,683 crashes and 48 fatalities occurred statewide.</p><p>“Vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death, with most fatalities being attributed to unbelted motorists,” said State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan.&nbsp;</p>Sun, 23 Nov 2014 23:45:54 +0000Liz Reid39248 at http://wesa.fmT'is the Season for Free Parking in Pittsburghhttp://wesa.fm/post/tis-season-free-parking-pittsburgh
<p>With the holiday season approaching, the Pittsburgh Parking Authority has voted to give the gift of free parking again.</p><p>During a board meeting Thursday, the Parking Authority board voted unanimously in favor to expand free parking to their surface lots on Saturday, November 29<sup>th</sup>.&nbsp;</p><p>“We…are joining the city and their efforts to promote Small Business Saturday with free parking at all the meter(s) on both the street – the city has done – and the Parking Authority is going to do free parking at surface lots,” David Onorato, Executive Director, said.</p>Thu, 20 Nov 2014 21:25:16 +0000Jessica Nath39132 at http://wesa.fmPlanning for the Holidays with Elaine Labalmehttp://wesa.fm/post/planning-holidays-elaine-labalme
<p></p><p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">While you may not want to think about it, the holidays will soon be upon us. If you’re thinking of getting away, now is the time to book your holiday travel plans. Contributor Elaine </span>Labalme<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> who tweets about food and travel under the twitter handle New Girl in Town, joins us to offer some pre-Thanksgiving and Christmas travel tips. </span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">According to </span>Labalme<span style="line-height: 1.5;">, if you’re planning to travel this holiday season, it’s important to plan and book early. People who are looking for snow should keep in mind that large ski resorts tend to get busy, so a smaller ski resort may be a better choice. The key to enjoying a holiday vacation, </span>Labalme<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> notes, is being grateful to get away.</span></p><p>Thu, 02 Oct 2014 20:37:24 +0000Essential Pittsburgh36689 at http://wesa.fmPlanning for the Holidays with Elaine LabalmeComing to Pittsburgh This Fall: Zombies, Craft Beer and Much Morehttp://wesa.fm/post/coming-pittsburgh-fall-zombies-craft-beer-and-much-more
<p>There are still five weeks left before summer is over, but Pittsburgh is already gearing up for the holiday season and many more events throughout 2015 with zombies, quartets and craft beers. &nbsp;</p><p>With Halloween not far off, nationally-recognized Scarehouse is amping up the Zombies. &nbsp;Scarehouse is using their 100-year-old building, former "Elks Lodge No. 932" which is alleged haunted and taking the building back to the 30’s with props from the era.</p>Wed, 20 Aug 2014 13:30:05 +0000Jess Lasky34545 at http://wesa.fmFrom Politics to Consumerism, The Business of Mother's Dayhttp://wesa.fm/post/politics-consumerism-business-mothers-day
<p></p><p><a href="http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/mothers-day" style="line-height: 1.5;">Celebrations of mothers and motherhood</a><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and </span>Cybele<span style="line-height: 1.5;">.</span></p><p>This year marks the 100th anniversary of Woodrow Wilson’s presidential decree that made Mother’s Day a national holiday, and in that time it has become one of the biggest holidays for consumer spending in the United States and around the globe.</p><p>Business contributor Rebecca Harris points out that Mother’s Day was not always about gift-giving.&nbsp;</p><p>Tue, 06 May 2014 20:08:05 +0000Essential Pittsburgh28788 at http://wesa.fmFrom Politics to Consumerism, The Business of Mother's DayRetailers Hope to Turn Christmas Sales Blues into Greenhttp://wesa.fm/post/retailers-hope-turn-christmas-sales-blues-green
<p>Retailers in the Pittsburgh region have their fingers crossed that business will pick up in the days leading to the New Year after disappointing sales figures leading up to Christmas.</p><p>“After Christmas sales are going to be extremely important to retailers because the holiday season wasn’t as strong as they hoped, and as a result, they want to get us in the stores and keep us there spending money,” said Duquesne University marketing professor Audrey Guskey.</p>Thu, 26 Dec 2013 08:30:00 +0000Kevin Gavin21657 at http://wesa.fmSeasonal and Holiday Depression a Real Concern This Time of Yearhttp://wesa.fm/post/seasonal-and-holiday-depression-real-concern-time-year
<p>This is often called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for many it’s one of the toughest times of the year, thanks to depression. There are several types of depression, including major depressive disorder, or what is more commonly known as clinical depression.</p><p>“It’s a mood state that lasts for an extended period of time and to a degree of severity that really interferes with a person’s usual functioning,” said Edward Friedman, a psychiatrist with UPMC. “That’s kind of different from holiday blues or seasonal blues.”</p>Tue, 24 Dec 2013 08:30:00 +0000Deanna Garcia21266 at http://wesa.fmOver the River and Through the Woods: Holiday Travel Season Expected to be Busiest on Recordhttp://wesa.fm/post/over-river-and-through-woods-holiday-travel-season-expected-be-busiest-record
<p>Approximately 94.5 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this week for the Christmas and New Year holidays, according to AAA East Central. That’s a half a million more travelers than the Christmas travel season last year and the highest number ever recorded for the season.</p><p>“The Mid-Atlantic region there’s expected to 10.5 million travelers and most of those will be driving,” said AAA East Central’s Bevi Powell. “There will be about 9.49 million drivers on the road. The Mid-Atlantic region includes New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”</p>Mon, 23 Dec 2013 08:30:00 +0000Deanna Garcia21651 at http://wesa.fmBlack and White Festival Focuses on Holiday Diversityhttp://wesa.fm/post/black-and-white-festival-focuses-holiday-diversity
<p>A decade ago, <a href="http://www.pghplaywrights.com/">Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre</a> embarked on a yearly event called the <em>Theater Festival in Black and White</em>, which pairs black directors with white playwrights and vice versa.</p><p>These one-act holiday plays offer an opportunity for local theater artists from different backgrounds to work together in a professional environment. Pittsburgh Playwrights founder <a href="http://www.markclaytonsouthers.com/">Mark Clayton Southers</a> and Managing Director Eric Smith have been working very closely with the Black and White Festival.Mon, 09 Dec 2013 22:37:02 +0000Nick Frost21066 at http://wesa.fmBlack and White Festival Focuses on Holiday DiversityHandmade Arcade Celebrates 10 Yearshttp://wesa.fm/post/handmade-arcade-celebrates-10-years
<p>Shoppers will spend the next few weeks looking for the perfect holiday gifts for the special people in their lives.</p><p>For the 10<sup>th</sup> year in a row, the <a href="http://www.handmadearcade.com/">Handmade Arcade</a> is offering Pittsburghers the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts at their annual event on Saturday.</p><p>Jennifer Baron is one of the co-organizers of the craft fair, and said the Handmade Arcade can provide shoppers a respite from the fatigue of Black Friday.</p>Thu, 05 Dec 2013 16:41:21 +0000Liz Reid20734 at http://wesa.fmHandmade Arcade Celebrates 10 YearsEverlasting Holiday Television Classics with Joe Woshttp://wesa.fm/post/everlasting-holiday-television-classics-joe-wos
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Charlie_Brown_Christmas"><em>A Charlie Brown Christmas</em></a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer_%28TV_special%29"><em>Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer</em></a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_the_Grinch_Stole_Christmas!"><em>How the Grinch Stole Christmas</em> </a>are holiday television staples.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They are aired every single year despite being filmed several decades ago. So why do they still endure?</span></span>Wed, 04 Dec 2013 23:29:06 +0000Katie Martin20814 at http://wesa.fmEverlasting Holiday Television Classics with Joe WosFind Your Community's Ornament on the County's Holiday Treehttp://wesa.fm/post/find-your-communitys-ornament-countys-holiday-tree
<p>Visitors to the Allegheny County Courthouse this holiday season will see a few new festive embellishments.&nbsp;</p><p>Along with the colorful globes that normally adorn the county’s official tree, nearly 100 ornaments created by local school districts have been added to the boughs.&nbsp;</p><p>Every district in the county was invited to use recycled scrap material to create an ornament representing the district itself and one for each of the communities within its borders.</p>Fri, 22 Nov 2013 19:11:34 +0000Mark Nootbaar20264 at http://wesa.fmFind Your Community's Ornament on the County's Holiday Tree6 Ways to Have Fun This Winter in Pittsburghhttp://wesa.fm/post/6-ways-have-fun-winter-pittsburgh
<p>The winter season in Pittsburgh offers plenty of opportunities to discover the city — or, for you native Pittsburghers — to remember why you love your city. Here’s our rundown of seasonal festivities to get you out the door and fill you with holiday spirit.<br />Fri, 22 Nov 2013 17:27:38 +0000Reid Carter20251 at http://wesa.fm6 Ways to Have Fun This Winter in Pittsburgh